Ottawa Township (part 23 of 23)

Philip Schey, Jr

The life of the farmer of today is the most independent existence that can be enjoyed. With all the modern inventions to facilitate farming, it is rapidly losing those objections which have always appeared so ominous to the average farmer lad. Again, the public school has taken cognizance of this subject, and today, in the schools of Ohio, farming is being taught and in many cases, given as much attention as arithmetic. Our colleges are granting degrees in agriculture, and farmers' short courses are being given everywhere. No better farming land can be found in the state than in Putnam county, and among the many good agriculturists of the county there is none who has made more of a success of this time-honored occupation than Philip Schey, Jr.

Philip Schey, Jr., was born, November 2,y, 1858, on Elm Creek, seven miles south of Columbus, Ohio. He is a son of Philip Schey, Sr., and Catherine (Bouch) Schey, the life history of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume.

Philip Schey, Jr., was ten years of age when the family moved to near Medary, Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio. Here the lad bore his full share in the toil and hardships of the early settlers of the Black swamp. He lived at home until his marriage, assisting his father with the farm work, and thus early learning all the principles of good farming.

Philip Schey, Jr., was married in 1884 to Pauline Yenner, a sister of John Yenner, whose biography tells of Mrs. Schey's parentage. Mrs. Schey died in 1885, leaving one daughter, Cora Louise, the wife of John E. Hat- horn, who is school supervisor in the northwest part of Putnam county, and who lives at Continental. They have two daughters, Pauline and Mabel. Mr. Schey was married a second time to Magdalene Wirth, in 1886, whowas born in Liberty township, Putnam county, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Samuel and Magdalena (Bauer) Wirth. Samuel Wirth came from Breis- Darmstadt, Germany, about 1850," and iirst located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked for a time in the quarries, getting out stone for the state house. He came to Liberty township, in this county, about 1852, and located in the southwest part of Liberty township, where he purchased a farm, and here he lived until about twelve years ago, when he moved to Holgate. Later he moved north of Holgate, where his wife died in 1906, after which Mr. Wirth spent the remaining years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Schey, and died at her home, in October, 1912.

When a youth, Mr. Schey purchased eighty acres of land, but later sold half of this tract and began farming on the remainder, where he is now living. This land was partly cleared, but not drained. From the time of his marriage, Mr. Schey lived on this farm, and from an humble beginning he has made his own way in the world, until he is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land which is well improved with a neat and substantial brick house, equipped with a private lighting plant, with commodious barns and other outbuildings, making it one of the best farms in the county.

Seven children have been born to Philip Schey, Jr., by his second marriage : George, who married Olive Hyde, lives just north of his father, and has one daughter, Catherine; Walter, who married Jessie Pickens, lives on a farm adjoining his father's, and they have two sons, Woodrow and Donald : Will, who married Mabel Kratzer, lives at home ; Charles, of New Orleans ; while Homer, Samuel and Amelia are living at home.

Philip Schey, Jr., has always taken an interest in public affairs in his community, and has held nearly all of the official positions in his township. At present he is township treasurer. He is a busy man always and faithful in his endeavor to improve, not only his own condition, but that of the community as well. Mr. Schey and family are members of the Lutheran church, in which he especially is an active worker. He teaches a Bible class in both the Lutheran and Evangelical churches, the former in the morning and the latter in the afternoon of Sunday. In all respects he must be considered a representative citizen of Putnam county and one, therefore, entitled to rank among the progressive men of his day and generation, whose life histories

I066 Putnam County, Ohio

-are told in this volume. Mr. Schey is not only a man of influence in his community, but he is a man who has always wielded this influence for the public good.

Peter Schey

Though Nature affords excellent opportunity for carrying on certain lines of labor in every locality, there is demanded of every man great industry and diligence, if he succeeds. Competition makes him put forth his best efiforts and it requires great care to conduct any business enterprise along profitable lines. This is especially true of farming, and from the time of the earliest spring planting, until the crops are harvested, the farmer's life is a busy one. Even through the winter months, he prepares for the labors of the coming year and thus lays the foundation of his success for the ensuing season. Yet the farmer leads the most independent life and always has the satisfaction of getting a day off whenever he desires. Putnam county farmers are not excelled anywhere in the state, and among these excellent farmers is Peter Schey.

Peter Schey was born on July 14, 1862, at Elm Creek, Franklin county, Ohio, the son of Philip and Catherine (Bouch) Schey, the life history of whom is given on another page of this volume.

Peter Schey was a boy of seven years when the family moved to Liberty township, Putnam county. He lived on the home farm until he had attained his majority. He began farming for himself at this time and rented land for three years. Subsequently, he purchased forty acres in Henry county and lived there four years. He then moved back to Liberty township and sold out his farm holdings in Henry county and purchased the eighty acres where he now lives. At the time Mr. Schey purchased this land, there were few improvements on it. He erected a splendid house and commodious and -comfortable barns. Mr. Schey has made out of this land a good farm. He purchased eighty acres more about 1906, and in 1912 he added forty acres, making two hundred acres, all in one body and all good land; in fact, no more fertile or more productive land can be found anywhere.

When a young man, Mr. Schey did some ditch contracting and hauling timber; in fact, he has never hesitated to do any honorable work which might bring him success. His first eighty-acre farm was purchased for fortytwo dollars an acre in February, 1895 ; in 1907 he paid eighty-five dollars an -acre, and in 191 2 he paid one hundred and sixty dollars an acre, in all cases, getting practically no improvements except the bare land. Practically all of Mr. Schey's farm was a swamp and appeared absolutely worthless at the beginning, but since he has drained and improved it, no better land is to be found anywhere.

Peter Schey was married in March, 1893, to Lenna Hensel, who was born in Baden, Germany, and who is the daughter of John and Magdalene (Weaver) Hensel. She came to America with her mother at the age of eight years, her father having died in Germany, of smallpox, and her brother died on the way to America. The mother and seven children who arrived safely in America and located in Franklin county about twelve miles northwest of Columbus. There Mrs. Schey lived until her marriage. To this union five sons and one daughter have been born, John, Fred, Edward, Frank, Emil and Florence.

Peter Schey served three years on the school board and is now the trustee of Liberty township, Putnam county. He is also a trustee of the Mutual Telephone Company of Leipsic, a successful, co-operative company, the success of which has been due to a considerable degree to Mr. Schey's able directions, who, together with his family, are members of the Lutheran church. In Liberty township, where Peter Schey lives, his name means all of 'those things which stand for honor and respectability in the community. Mr. Schey and his brothers and all of their families are prominent in Liberty township and well known throughout Putnam county.

Henry Beckman

The rise from poverty to affluence has developed the character of many men living in Putnam county, Ohio. They have remained honest and loyal to their early interests, however, and are ever interested in the welfare of the community and in its progress. One of the most respected and progressive farmers of this county is Henry Beckman, who lives south of Ottawa in Ottawa township. Henry Beckman is a son of Bernard Beckman, Sr., and Hannah M. (Shonhofif) Beckman.

Bernard Beckman, Sr., was a poor boy, and was in debt for his passage to America when he landed here. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on August 24, 1828, the son of John B. H. and Elizabeth (Barlage) Beckman. He came to Putnam county, Ohio, in December, 1848, and lived for a time at Glandorf. He was married in December, 1850, to Anna M. Schonhoff, who Tvas also a native of Oldenburg, Germany, her birth having occurred there

After Bernard Beckman, Sr., was married, he bought forty acres of land on the south side of Ottawa township, which was partly cleared. He paid six hundred dollars for this land, on which was a house, but not much else in the way of improvements. A short time before that, he bought two other forty-acre tracts, one for two hundred dollars and the other for four hundred dollars. He spent Jiis life on his farm south of Ottawa. There were six children who grew to maturity, John, Bernard H., Henry, Mary B., Joseph and Elizabeth. The father of these children died on February 13, 1895, at the age of sixty-six, while his wife died on October 27, 1899, at the age of sixty-six. He and his family were devoted adherents of the Catholic church at Ottawa.

Henry Beckman grew to maturity on the farm where he was born. He was married on November 11, 1891, to Anna Kleform. She was born in Ottawa township, just south of Ottawa, the daughter of John and Catherine (Recker) Kleform. John Kleform was born and readed on the farm where Airs. Beckman was born. He was a son of Gerhardt and Elizabeth (Sponhoff) Kleform, who settled in Putnam county in 1837. Catherine Recker was born in 1850, the daughter of H. H. and Mary Recker, who came to Putnam county in 1835. John Kleform and wife were married at Glandorf in 1867, and spent the remainder of their lives on the farm where Mrs. Beckman was born.

Ever since Henry Beckman was married he has farmed the home place. His father was a cripple, for probably thirty-five years, before his death, and from the time Henry Beckman was sixteen years old, he has operated the farm. After his marriage, his parents lived with him until they died. Henry Beckman has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and for seven years served as township trustee of Ottawa township, a position which he filled with exceptional ability, winning the approval of the citizens of the entire township.

Henry and Anna (Kleform) Beckman are the parents of five children living and two who died in infancy. Those living are Loretta, Philomina, Salome, Elmer and Hubert. Loretta is the wife of William Rieman, and lives northeast of Ottawa. She has one daughter, Lucile; Philomina is the wife of John Selhorst, and lives in Pleasant township.

Henry Beckman is a large, broad-shouldered man of splendid physique, candid and outspoken in his manner and more inclined to do a favor than to promise it. Naturally, he is a highly-respected citizen of the community where he resides. Mr. Beckman still has the spinning wheel which his mother used and also he has an old flail of pioneer pattern, which is always an object -of interest to visitors. He, with his family, are members of Sts. Peter and Paul's Catholic church at Ottawa. He at present farms one hundred and seventeen acres, all of which is located in Ottawa and Pleasant township. Air. Beckman raises a great deal of poultry and now has almost three hundred chickens on the farm of all kinds. Pie sells quite a number and has been very successful.

Philip Schey, Sr

A review of the life of the honored and lamented Philip Schey, Sr., must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career, touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the range of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation, and the luster of his good deeds, and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable